Scots move gives McFarland chance of early Ulster arrival

SCOTLAND are thought to be close to appointing a replacement for the Ulster-bound Dan McFarland, putting the wheels in motion for an earlier than expected arrival in Belfast for the province’s new head coach.

Gregor Townsend’s men are currently preparing for this weekend’s Test against the USA Eagles in Houston but are believed to have secured the services of Danny Wilson to act as their forwards coach next season.

Wilson, who led Cardiff Blues to Challenge Cup glory back in May, was set to head to Wasps and work under Dai Young at the Ricoh Arena but the lure of joining the international ranks has seemingly proven too great.

The SRU had been looking to fill the hole left in their coaching ticket since April, when McFarland

(right ) opted to leave his post and replace Jono Gibbes as Ulster’s head coach for the 2018/19 campaign.

Irked by losing a key lieutenant so close to next year’s World Cup in Japan, the initial statement confirming McFarland’s exit declared he would be working out his notice period until January of 2019 rather than arriving at Kingspan Stadium in time for pre-season training next month.

The appointment of Wilson though would make it far more likely that McFarland is released from his deal early, with Ulster likely paying some form of compensation.

Despite his imminent move, the former Connacht and Glasgow coach has still been working with Scotland on their summer tour, sharing the load with Worcester’s Carl Hogg.

KARL Donaldson avoided a potential banana skin last night to reach the final round of qualifying at the Johnston Campbell North of Ireland Open tournament at the Downshire club in Hillsborough.

Donaldson was made to fight all the way against Windsor’s Will Millar, before progressing on a 6-2 4-6 6-1 scoreline.

The ATT (Ballymena) player, who has featured in recent Ulster senior inter-pro teams, found himself in the unusual position of having to qualify for the main draw such is the high standard of the men’s singles entry-list.

Donaldson is now due to face Hawarden player Rory Cunningham after he defeated Cloughey and District’s Ross Jenkinson 6-2 6-3.

Should Donaldson make it into the main draw, as expected, then he will be up against Ulster team-mate Alex Watt, who has recently returned from a long lay-off due to a shoulder injury.

Also through to the last stage of qualifying is Kildare man Dorian Kos, who defeated McCracken (David Lloyd) 6-4 6-1 last night.

The ladies’ singles event is headed up by 2016 winner Ruth Copas, from Dundalk, with Ballymena woman Kerri Russell seeded second, and Ulster players Emily Beatty and the McCullough twins, Annie and Caitlin, leading the challenge.

Russell started her campaign with a straightforward 6-0 6-3 win over Belfast teenager Ciara Hill last night.